Electrical Box Cable Connector with Adjustable Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable clamps for electrical boxes face challenges in securely fastening armored and non-metallic sheathed cables, as they often provide insufficient resistance to prevent cable withdrawal while allowing easy insertion, and require different designs for different cable types.
Innovation Solution
The proposed electrical cable connector features a frame with a cable retaining member that flexes to allow easy cable insertion while providing sufficient resistance to prevent withdrawal, and includes adjustable shims to accommodate cables of varying diameters, ensuring secure attachment to the electrical box.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cable clamps are used to secure cables to electrical boxes, then cable attachment is achieved, but the clamps provide insufficient resistance to prevent cable withdrawal and require different designs for different cable types
Solution Approach 1:
The cable connector is designed with a universal frame structure that can accommodate both armored and non-metallic sheathed cables through a single device design, eliminating the need for different clamp types. The frame includes a cable receiving portion with a central opening and retaining members that can adapt to various cable types and diameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable retaining members are designed to be adjustable in position along the frame, allowing the retention mechanism to adapt to different cable diameters. This parameter adjustment enables the same connector to securely hold various cable sizes while maintaining sufficient resistance against withdrawal forces.
2Reliability
If conventional cable clamps are designed to provide strong retention, then cable withdrawal is prevented, but cable insertion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cable retaining members are designed to be movable along the frame during cable insertion, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position. This dynamic mechanism enables easy cable insertion by temporarily reducing retention force, then automatically provides strong retention once the cable is properly positioned and secured.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure is designed with a central opening that guides the cable into position before the retaining members engage. This preliminary guiding action facilitates easy cable insertion, while the retaining members are pre-positioned to automatically engage and provide retention once the cable reaches the correct position.
3Reliability
If cable connectors are designed for specific cable diameters, then secure fastening is achieved, but accommodation of varying cable sizes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cable retaining members can be adjusted to different positions along the frame to accommodate varying cable diameters. This parameter adjustment maintains secure fastening for each specific cable size while providing versatility across a range of cable diameters, eliminating the need for multiple specialized connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining members are designed as separate, adjustable components rather than a fixed structure, allowing independent positioning to match different cable sizes. This segmentation enables the same connector to provide reliable fastening for various cable diameters by adjusting the retention points.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures secure fastening of cables within the electrical box, accommodating different cable types and sizes, and allows for easy installation and adjustment, enhancing cable management and compliance with electrical codes.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one leg is able to flex while the sheathing is passed through the cavity imparting little resistance to the forward advancement of the sheathing within the cavity, while imparting sufficient resistance to rearward movement of the sheathing to prevent withdrawal of the electrical cable from the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical box assemblies and cable connectors are provided. The cable connectors include a frame and a cable retaining member releasably secured to the frame. The cable retaining members releasably secure an electrical cable to an electrical box by engaging the sheathing of the electrical cable. The electrical box assembly includes an electrical box and at least one cable connector.